Identify the turtles, snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, and other herptiles of the Midwest with this easy-to-use field guide. From ponds to prairieland, encountering amphibians and reptiles in nature is a thrill. Learn to identify them throughout the midwestern United States. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, identification is simple and informative. The Reptiles & Amphibians of the Midwest Field Guide features more than 130 species found in the region, organized by group and then by size. When you see a herptile (herp), you can determine its group by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. Inside you’ll find: More than 130 species—only herps found in the Midwest - Crisp, professional images that include color variations, bellies, scales, juveniles, and more to help you make positive identifications - Detailed range maps - Information that’s easily used by beginners and the experienced alike, complete with frog and toad croaking charts and status classifications - Stan’s Notes with interesting facts and natural history information This field guide is applicable to the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. So grab the Reptiles & Amphibians of the Midwest Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see. Stan Tekiela has been a professional naturalist for more than 35 years and is a member of the Minnesota Naturalists’ Association, Outdoor Writers Association of America, North American Nature Photography Association, and Canon Professional Services. Stan actively studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for outdoors education and writing. His syndicated nature column appears in more than 20 cities, and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations. Stan has authored hundreds of field guides, quick guides, nature books, children’s books, and more. Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens Family: True Frogs (Ranidae) Size: 2–3.5" (5–9 cm) Description: Various morphs, most green or brown with 2–4 rows of dark round spots of varied sizes on the back and sides. White belly. White chin. Pronounced dorsolateral folds. Light line on upper lip. Dark bars across hind legs. May have a slight green wash to inside thighs of hind legs. Eggs/Young: 500–5,000 eggs once per year in masses; tadpoles hatch in 7–28 days and most transform in 60–90 days; will hatch and transform faster in warmer water Origin/Age: native; 8–10 years Habitat: wetlands, ponds, lakes, meadows, fields near water Overwinter: underwater; burrows into mud at the bottom of lakes and larger ponds Food: beetles, crickets, and other insects, frogs, slugs, snails Compare: Pickerel Frog (pg. 189) has 2 rows of squarish spots on its back and a yellow wash to the inside of its thighs. Stan’s Notes: One of our most widespread and common frogs. Found throughout the northern central regions of the Midwest. Can give a loud scream or low vibrating buzz when seized. Emerges in April. Will travel up to a mile to get to breeding ponds. Usually seen crossing roads with long leaping bounds. Breeding starts when water temperatures rise above 65 ºF (18 ºC). Male gives a low, guttural snore call lasting 2–4 seconds followed by several clucks and croaks. Moves from ponds to fields and meadows in summer if there is enough rain. Moves back to wintering lakes in autumn and seen crossing roads. Populations have decreased over the previous 30–50 years due to environmental toxins, habitat loss, and overharvesting for biological supply and fishing bait.